Desmond Claude remains available
With the Early Signing Period coming and gone, Desmond Claude remains a top-five point guard available in the 2022 class.
The 6-4 point guard is the No. 129 player in the 2022 class. Playing on the EYBL this summer with The Expressions, the Putnam (Conn.) Science Academy Claude made a name for himself with coaches.
“I visited Xavier, South Carolina and Rutgers,” Claude said, “Xavier is still in contact with me pretty regularly; they offered a while back. Louisville and Pitt, they just offered, have both been reaching out consistently.”
IN HIS OWN WORDS
Louisville: “A lot of people have gone to the league from there. They need a point guard, and the emphasis they have on development over there is really good. I like that.”
Pittsburgh: “I have actually been watching them before they offered. They play multiple guards over there. They play aggressively, and they score a lot. I am eager to keep learning more, but it is a good situation.”
Xavier: “They need a point guard to come in right away, and they want me really bad. It is a good situation over there, they have a good system, and they’re still toward the top for me.”
“Oklahoma State is a school I am hearing a lot from; they haven’t offered yet. There are some more too, but I can’t think of them right now. I decided to wait until the late signing period to commit. I have two visits left, and I look to decide after that.”
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WHAT'S NEXT?
“I am setting up an official visit with Louisville in December and still looking to figure out the second one,” Claude said. “I want to go to a coach I can trust will do what he says when I get there. I want to go to a program where my teammates will work hard. Player development is a big thing for me. I want to go to a place that will help me develop into an NBA player.”
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RIVALS' REACTION
Claude walks on the floor with broad shoulders and a tall frame. Positionally, he could play either guard spot, size-wise. What you notice first about his game is the pace and poise with which he plays. Claude is never rushed with the ball in his hands, and while he needs screens to get past his man, he does not turn the ball over.
While the athleticism will be a question, Claude’s shooting makes him an intriguing prospect. His ability to play on or off the ball allows a coach to do many things with him and around him.